Switzerland: Climate

Explore the world's climate zones here! Search for Switzerland and discover where each zone listed above is located within the country.

The weather in Switzerland varies greatly.

Precipitation is generally higher in the western part of Switzerland where clouds often come in from the Atlantic coast. The parts south of the Alps like Lugano receive about 175 cm of rainfall per year. Rochers de Nave receives the most rainfall. The east and the southwest of Switzerland receive relatively little precipitation. Scoul receives about 70cm, and Staldenried about 53 cm.

When the winds blow in clouds from the south, they get blocked at the Alps and drop their water there. Usually this causes dry and warm weather north of the Alps, often accompanied by heavy winds and good views where the mountains appear much closer than they really are. This phenomena is known as foehn (“föhn”). Many people claim that they get headaches under these conditions.